Project Overview
The Challenge
The Goal
The Beach Institute, a historic museum in Savannah, wanted to “revitalize” their visitor experience but did not have a clear definition of what that meant in practice. The building’s age and protected status created real constraints on physical changes, and the organization was balancing preservation, accessibility, and modern engagement with limited internal design resources.
Create a cohesive, realistic improvement plan across the physical museum, its exterior presence, and its online outreach that respected the site’s historical significance while making the experience clearer, more welcoming, and more visible to the public.
My Role
Project Manager, Design Coordinator
I coordinated a 20-person, three-team studio working across physical design, environmental graphics, and digital outreach. I served as the primary point of contact between the client, faculty advisors, and team leads, set schedules and milestones, and ensured that all design decisions aligned with a shared vision and the museum’s preservation requirements. I also led client presentations and internal reviews to guide the project from early concept through final deliverables.
Systems Design
Visitor Wayfinding & Interpretation System
Designed a layered navigation and information system inside the museum, including large-format floor maps and exhibit plaques. These clarified circulation in a historically complex building and provided deeper context for exhibits, supported by QR codes linking to extended digital content.
Community Engagement & Outreach System
Developed a digital engagement framework focused on building a sustainable social presence for the museum. This included launching and branding a TikTok channel, creating posting templates, and delivering a long-term content plan the museum could continue independently.
Development Highlights
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Structured a three-team workflow covering interior, exterior, and digital experience design
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Coordinated material selection and vendor quotes for exterior signage within historic district regulations
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Led client workshops to refine priorities and translate open-ended goals into buildable solutions
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Produced pitch decks and review presentations for both SCAD faculty and museum leadership
Map Design
Physical Map Installed
TikTok Account
Exterior Sign Render
Exterior Signage Renders
Interior Sign Design
Physical Sign Installed
Outcome & Takeaways
What Worked
Breaking the project into interconnected physical and digital systems helped the client see how wayfinding, storytelling, and outreach could support each other instead of competing for attention.
What I'd Improve
I would introduce user testing earlier in the process, especially for wayfinding and signage, to validate design decisions with real visitors before finalizing fabrication and placement.
What the Project Shaped
This project shaped how I approach leadership in creative work. It taught me how to balance creative ambition with real-world limits, and how to guide a team toward a shared vision while still letting specialists own their craft.
Project Status
Completed- Client Deliverables in Use
Sept. 2025 - Nov. 2025